Introduction to 1 Peter

Verse 1 - Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ…

Who is this man Peter?

Peter is the most mentioned of the original twelve disciples. His name is used 159 times in the N.T. Jesus is mentioned nearly a thousand times. Paul 165 times.

First glimpse in Mark 1:16, “…they were fishermen…by the sea of Galilee…” Galileans are described by historians as: “Quick tempered, impulsive, emotional, easily roused by an appeal to adventure, and loyal to the end.” Peter was a typical man of Galilee. Fishing was a common trade on the Sea of Galilee and usually a very lucrative business. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew immediately left the nets and followed Him.

His home was in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Note Mark 1:21-30.

Simon Peter quickly takes on a prominent role among the disciples. In Matthew 10:2 Peter is
referred to as “the first” of the twelve. The word here probably means first in prominence.

Peter seems to have been the spokesman for the disciples. He often asked Jesus questions for the other disciples (Matthew 15:15; 18:21; 19:27).

Peter, in his Galilean boldness, asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water. His boldness quickly turned into fear which caused him to cry out to Jesus (Matthew 14:26-33).

Peter, in his Galilean boldness, even tried to rebuke Jesus when he heard Him teach on His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23).

Jesus gives him the name Peter after his confession that Jesus is the Christ in Matthew 16:15-20. Peter (petros) means a stone. “Rock” (petra) means large rock. Peter uses this same word to refer to Christ in 1 Peter 2:8.

In his brashness he cuts of the ear of the high priest’s slave (John 18:10; Luke 22:50-51).

In his brashness he swears that he will never deny Christ (Matthew 26:34-75).

In His grace and mercy Jesus restores Peter (John 21:1-22). As Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus asks him three times about his love.

In his grace and mercy Jesus informs Peter of how his life will end (John 21:18-19). Peter mentions this in 2 Peter 1:14)

On the day of Pentecost, in resurrection power, Peter delivers the first sermon of the church age and 3,000 souls are saved.

What can we learn from this man Peter?

1 – Failure in the past does not nullify purpose in the future!

2 – A broken heart is great preparation for healing fractured lives!

3 – One note of hope brings more encouragement than a thousand thoughts never
expressed.